Archives

Paul Praying for Us

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11 NIV)

That our love may increasingly abound in knowledge and deep insight…
SO THAT we are able to discern what is the best way to live our lives, day by day, being aware that we’ll give an account to Christ.
SO THAT we will be filled with what? Not just righteousness, but the FRUIT of righteousness.
The FRUIT. The RESULTS. The PROOF. The ACTION.
And this righteousness comes from what? From whom? From Jesus Christ alone. Not from us. Not from religion. Not from a bleeding heart. From CHRIST. From His power alone.
First comes faith in Christ for salvation and a life empowered by Him, abandoned for Him. Then comes the fruit of righteousness that comes THROUGH Him.
And finally, what is the reason for our increasing love and knowledge, for our God-given discernment, for the fruit of righteousness through Christ?
Is it for our own sake? So people can say we are good people? So those who are being helped can live a better life? For us to pat each other on the back? For us to earn our way into God’s favor?
NO. The reason is simple. It’s the reason we live. It’s the reason for everything.
FOR THE GLORY AND PRAISE OF GOD.
Amen.